Visit Ngorongoro
a caldera at the heart of the savanna.
The Ngorongoro Crater spans 20 km in diameter over an area of 260 km². It is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which covers 8,288 km². The Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ngorongoro is not actually a crater, but a caldera, formed by the explosion of a volcano's cone. The rim of Ngorongoro is at an altitude of 2,300 meters, and its floor sits at 1,700 meters. It features both fresh and salty water, savanna, and forests, with around 100 animals per km².
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area allows the Maasai people and their herds to live within this protected space. They are the only ones permitted to do so.
A journey to the heart of Tanzania's most beautiful landscapes.
Habitat
& Animals
The Ngorongoro Crater contains both fresh and salty water, savanna, and forests, with about 100 animals per km². This caldera, formed by the collapse of a volcano, hosts an exceptional diversity of ecosystems within a relatively small area. Savanna, marshes, forests, and alkaline lakes coexist, providing a rich and varied habitat for wildlife. The forests, mostly located on the caldera’s slopes, contrast with the vast grassy plains at the crater floor, where animals come to graze and drink throughout the year.
Look out for:
· Lion
· Zebra
· Wildebeest
· Hyena
· Buffalo
· Rhinoceros
A journey to the heart of Tanzania's most beautiful landscapes.
SAFARIS IN MAASAI LAND
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area allows the Maasai people and their herds to live within the area, unlike the Serengeti. When the Serengeti National Park was created, the Ngorongoro area was separated in 1959 to allow Maasai pastoralism, which is prohibited in national parks. Therefore, the border between the two parks is administrative.
The area is sparsely populated, mainly by semi-nomadic Maasai herders. In 1996, there were 26,000 herders and 280,000 head of livestock. The Maasai, living in Kenya and northern Tanzania, base their lifestyle on cattle (cows, goats, sheep). They do not hunt and do not consume fish, birds, or game.
Relations between the Maasai and wildlife protection authorities are tense, and the situation is complex. Today, livestock are no longer allowed in the Empakaï and Ngorongoro craters.
Discover the Maasai people on our encounter itinerary.
4×4 Safari
Traverse the plains of the crater in a 4x4 vehicle to observe the Big Five and other fascinating animals in this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hike in the Empakaï Crater
Trek through the heart of the Empakaï Crater, an extinct volcano, to admire its pristine landscapes and the lake filled with flamingos.
Volcano Trek from Olmoti to Nayobi
Embark on an immersive hike across volcanoes, connecting the Olmoti and Nayobi craters, and explore the unique flora and fauna of the region.
Olduvai Gorge Museum
Discover the fascinating history of human evolution by visiting this museum near the famous Olduvai Gorges, one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites.
Your highlights
Breathtaking views
Arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds
The diverse landscapes
Where to sleep
to make the most of
Ngorongoro crater
These accommodations
have been selected with care
by our team.
Gibbs Farm
Entanamu Camp
Neptune Ngorongoro
Gibbs Farm
Entanamu Camp
Neptune Ngorongoro
Guide's tip
“When I see the wonder in your eyes when we reach the top of the crater, I am proud of my work as a guide and proud of my country.
As a former Kilimanjaro guide, I also enjoy accompanying you on the other volcanoes in the region: Empakaï with its lake at the bottom, or Bulati and Olmoti.
The Ngorongoro rim is at 2,300 meters altitude, so it can be very cold, especially in July-August if you sleep on the rim.“
Swedi, Safari Guide
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Neema House Road, Arusha Tanzania
